The Naughty Girls Book Club. Sophie Hart

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ all very pleased to see you. Now sit down,’ Estelle told him, standing up and pulling out a chair. ‘What can I get you to eat? I’m afraid you’ll have to pay for it this week.’

      ‘I’ll just have a tea …’ he began. ‘And a piece of whatever cake you’ve got left.’

      ‘Two sugars in your tea, is that right?’

      ‘Yes, that’s right,’ Reggie agreed, still looking terrified as he set his bag down on the floor and pulled out his own well-thumbed copy of Ten Sweet Lessons.

      ‘You read it!’ Rebecca exclaimed in shock.

      ‘Yes,’ Reggie mumbled. ‘Just for research – for the book club, I mean,’ he explained quickly, as Gracie sniggered. ‘Not for any other kind of research.’

      ‘We didn’t think you’d come back,’ Gracie challenged him, as Estelle shot her a sharp look.

      ‘I almost didn’t,’ Reggie admitted. ‘But … you know … for the sake of my thesis …’

      ‘Right,’ Gracie nodded, a teasing glint in her eye. ‘You’re very dedicated.’

      ‘We were just talking about how to categorise Ten Sweet Lessons,’ Estelle explained. ‘About whether it’s romance, or erotica …’

      ‘Or porn,’ put in Gracie helpfully.

      ‘Yes, thank you, Gracie,’ smiled Estelle. ‘What do you think Reggie? Or do you have any thoughts on the book in general?’

      ‘Um …’ He looked horrified to be put on the spot. ‘I didn’t know women liked this sort of thing. I mean, it’s so popular. Is this really what everyone out there’s reading?’

      ‘I’m not!’ Grace burst out. ‘I thought it was offensive, misogynistic, badly-written tripe.’

      ‘Don’t hold back Gracie,’ Estelle couldn’t resist teasing her.

      ‘The whole premise of the book is just horrible!’ Gracie burst out. ‘You’ve got this young woman – Christina Cox – who’s willing to do anything Alexander Black says. To debase herself in any way, and go through the “ten sweet lessons” to ultimate submission. It’s simply not a good message to be putting out there – that violence towards women is acceptable.’

      ‘But it’s her choice,’ Rebecca protested. ‘If anything, she’s the one in control. Any power that Alexander Black has over her comes from what she gives him. I think it’s a really sexy idea.’

      ‘I disagree,’ Gracie shot back. ‘It’s not her choice at all. She only goes along with the spanking and shackles to please him; because she loves him, and hopes she can change him. The relationship is entirely on his terms.’

      ‘Well I liked it,’ Rebecca said firmly. ‘And I think you’re reading far too much into it. It’s just a fun bit of escapism.’

      ‘Well, if BDSM is your idea of fun …’ Gracie smirked.

      ‘I didn’t mean it like that!’ Rebecca blushed.

      ‘And it’s totally unrealistic,’ Gracie continued. ‘Nobody has that many … I mean, not like … not that many times … it’s just not possible …’ she finished, as everyone began giggling once more.

      ‘Now come on, everyone,’ Estelle managed, through her own laughter. ‘We’re all grown-ups here.’

      ‘But isn’t that the point, Gracie?’ Rebecca continued. ‘It’s escapism. It’s bigger than real life – if you’ll pardon the pun. Everyone knows that whereas men get turned on visually, women need something more …’

      ‘So it is porn,’ Gracie declared triumphantly.

      ‘I think it’s more like a fairytale,’ cut in Sue. ‘You have the handsome, rich, older man living alone in his mansion like some storybook prince, and he rescues the young, pretty woman and whisks her off to an amazing life that’s far removed from her everyday drudgery. It’s a classic fairytale.’

      ‘It’s certainly not what I dreamed of when I was growing up,’ Gracie quipped. ‘Being handcuffed to the bed and whipped until my bottom bled … hardly the stuff little girls dream of.’

      ‘Yes, but who knew it could produce such earth-shattering orgasms?’ Rebecca deadpanned.

      Reggie stood up so quickly he almost knocked his chair over. ‘Estelle, could you tell me where the toilets are, please?’

      ‘Certainly. They’re just in that back corner, over there,’ she indicated, as Reggie practically sprinted across the cafe to escape.

      ‘Oops, do you think I scared him off?’ Rebecca whispered guiltily.

      ‘He’ll be climbing out of the toilet window as we speak,’ Sue added wickedly.

      ‘Maybe now would be a good time to have a little break,’ Estelle suggested. ‘Anyone for a top-up?’

      The others murmured their assent, getting up from the table and ordering a fresh round of coffee and cakes. Estelle was delighted as the money dropped with a chink into the till, and the conversation didn’t stop while the women were queuing.

      ‘All I’m saying,’ Gracie was explaining earnestly to Rebecca, ‘is that the heroine – Christina – was like a wet dish cloth. She was so annoying. At times I just wanted to give her a good slap.’

      ‘I think she might have enjoyed that,’ Rebecca grinned. ‘Honestly Gracie, I think you’re getting far too worked up about it. Have some more cake,’ she suggested, taking a large bite out of hers.

      ‘What about Alexander Black?’ asked Estelle, as she sat down again. ‘What do we all think of him?’

      ‘Mmm, I think I’d give everything I own for one night with Alexander Black,’ Rebecca raved. ‘He’s such a sexy character. So manly and masterful.’

      Gracie looked disgusted. ‘I think he has major issues, and shouldn’t be allowed near women, personally.’

      ‘But imagine having a man who adored you that much,’ Rebecca began dreamily. ‘Someone who worships the very ground you walk on, all his energy and passion and desire focused on you, as the sole object of his lust …’

      Gracie snorted derisively. ‘I’d rather not be treated like an object, thank you very much.’

      ‘I have to say, I agree more with Rebecca,’ Sue admitted. ‘Alexander is a rich, powerful man with a commanding presence, and I think that most of us ladies find that attractive. Especially these days, when more and more women are building successful careers and forging ahead in so many areas, sometimes – and it’s not fashionable to admit it – you want to be with a man who can take charge and really be in control.’

      ‘Very interesting, Sue,’ Estelle nodded. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’ She turned, as Reggie crept sheepishly back across the room and slunk back into his seat.

      ‘Don’t worry, Reggie,’ СКАЧАТЬ